The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-19
THE INoUIsITIvE ELEPHANT.
A Story of An infatuated Youth and
His Priceless Cane.
From the Ne,o York Times.

From the Neag York Times.
highly dressed youth whose supple form
was tightly encased in horsey check suit, and
who, in spite of the fact that the thermometer
was at something lofty in the shade, carried his
well worn tan gloves in his left hand and stroled
into Central Park at the entrance opposite the
arsenal He was alone, save for the mute COM
partnership of a large silver -headed rattan cane,
with which he toyed in his foolish, ininlitable
way. His gait suggested that he had nowhere
to go, but his leisurely steps brought him TO the
arena where, apparently unconscious of the
fact that they were being ardently gaZed at, the
sportive elephants frolcked in the sunshine.
Hundreds of people watched the unwiedy gam
bols OF the drab beasts, and the advent OF the
leisurely youth and the silver-headed rattan
was comparatively llnrecognized.
He stood slightly apart from the democratic
crowd, and as he was taller than most of the
people he looked serenely over their heads. A
casual observer might have supposed that he
was regarding the elephants with as much in
terest as anybody else. 1t was mistake. The
eyes of the leisurely youth were fixed with pc
culiarly expressive ardor upon a comely damsel
OF some IL summers who was gazing into the
arena from the other side. There was not the
least doubt that the comedy damsel was amused
at the ultra-metropolitan costume of the
leisurely youth, but he evidently interpreted her
smiles to mean that she reciprocated his fascina-
ton. Though it was very warm he daintily
elbowed his lissome self through three rows of
people, and stood next to the ratings
Though he considered the elephants no curl
OSiIy, Iney apparently thought he was one.
They stared as though they would have stared
him out of his little original palld countenance,
and they came closer to the railing, as though
to make sure he was alive. The leisurely youth,
however, was too interested in his Irritation to
look about him. His neighbors, however, soon
became alive to the fun of the situation. The
youth twirled his sparse hirSute decorations, set
his light brown hat away from his perspiring
forehead. put himself in a graceful and ex-
pectant position, screwed up his eyes at the
comely damsel, whose face was now wreathed
with sunny smiles, and involuntarily stuck his
cane through the ratings and waived it very
the arena, held it a little in the air over the top
OF the elephants retreat, and looked again at
the damsel who was now a few yards to his left.
Suddenly loud burst of laughter from the
spectators rang through the air. The most
inquisitive of the elephants had vigorously
moved his trunk and struck the leisurely
youth s rattan companion from his hand, yards
into the arena. The bereaved one, aware of
his affection. but not knowing how it came to
pass, looked round angrily.
tive me my cane he shouted. No one
spoke. Come no fooling''
shrek of laughter followed this, and the
comely damsel, in a CONFUSION of mirth, was
obliged to clutch the railing.
Get me that cane, y cried the youth, "or I'll
have some one arrested. Come, won't stand
this. Il
At that moment his eye fell upon the recum-
bent form of his companion and he seemed to
see the situation. In moment he had vaulted
over the railing, taking even the elephants by
surprise, picked up his cane, jumped back
again, and accompanied by perfect chorus of
laughter, taken his departure and quickly and
gracefully left the upper entrance, whence he
had come